Commuters urged to plan ahead this Wednesday

Commuters are being urged to plan their journeys ahead of Wednesday night (5 December) as roads in and out of the city centre are expected to be much busier than usual.

On Wednesday night, Manchester United take on Arsenal in front of 75,000 fans at Old Trafford. Coupled with the ongoing improvement work taking place on the Manchester and Salford Inner Relief Route and many more people now visiting the Christmas Markets, journeys could take longer during the evening peak.

Those able to should consider using public transport, travelling outside of the evening peak or simply staying in the city centre to do a bit of festive shopping or savouring a mulled wine or two at the Christmas Markets.

Also, with no trains operating between Manchester and London after 9.15pm, four supporter coaches will be used by Arsenal to bring some fans up, however, with over 2,500 away tickets sold it’s expected that many more will travel up by car.

To help fans get to the match, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) have created a bespoke match travel advice page and will again be trialling free shuttle buses direct to Old Trafford from two new pop-up park and ride sites at the AJ Bell Stadium and Event City, close to the Trafford Centre.

Ryan Carter, Events and Planning lead at TfGM, said: “We have thousands of park and ride spaces available across Greater Manchester, including Sale Water Park, Ladywell and Ashton, all of which help people to avoid getting caught up in traffic on the roads.

“We’d also encourage fans travelling to Old Trafford to also consider using one of our new pop-up sites at the AJ Bell Stadium and Event City as they offer free and direct bus services to the ground.

"For anyone travelling on the night our advice is to follow the TfGM social media channels for real-time up travel information".

Salford City Council - Traffic-free Network Enhancements - Cycling and Walking

Salford City Council are currently reviewing the existing network of traffic-free routes in the west of the city (i.e. the Looplines, Port Salford Greenway and Bridgewater Canal) to see if any enhancements are needed, e.g. additional links or ramps, improved signage etc.  They would be grateful if any of you who use the network can complete the survey:

www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/Trafficfreenetworksurvey

Please click here for a downloadable PDF of the promotional flyer below for onward circulation.

Getting in the zone with Metrolink

Metrolink customers will be able to get on board with simpler, more convenient and flexible fares from 13 January, it can be revealed.

The move will signify a key step towards a more integrated ticketing system for the region’s public transport network – one of the Mayor’s manifesto pledges and a pillar of TfGM’s 2040 Transport Strategy.

Metrolink is the UK’s largest light rail network, with more than 42m journeys currently made a year. By simplifying the fares system and offering better value for money, it’s hoped more people will be encouraged to leave their car at home and try the tram instead, helping to tackle congestion and improve air quality.

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, said: “The current fares and ticketing system in Greater Manchester is complex and undoubtedly a barrier that prevents some people from making the most of our public transport network.

“I’m keen to see a system that is simpler to use, more convenient and offers passengers more for their money – something that zonal offers Metrolink customers and which we’re now able to introduce. This new zonal structure is important as Greater Manchester moves towards an integrated, London-style public transport system.

“However, to make significant change and give people a real alternative to their car we need something that works across our buses, trains and trams. The ‘Take Control of Transport’ campaign is so important and I urge all those who live and work in Greater Manchester to get behind it.”

The four zone system will cut the thousands of current stop-to-stop fare combinations to just 10 zone-based fares, and bring Metrolink in line with many other European tram networks that have similar structures.

Details of the zones and fares can be found at www.tfgm.com/zones.

Beelines network planning workshop - Walkden and Little Hulton

Dear Salford cycling and walking forum members,

The next Beelines network planning workshop will be Walkden and Little Hulton on November 27th, 6-7pm at Walkden Gateway Community Room 1.

Anyone who lives in or visits the area is welcome.

Please spend some time before the workshop thinking about where rat runs are, where crossings are needed, which journeys you're happy to walk or cycle, and which ones you're not! Ideas for improving the traffic-free network and additional links to it are also very welcome. We're also keen to hear about any other issues that prevent you from walking and cycling such as lighting, pavement parking, speeding etc.

We're expecting ward councillors to attend so this is a good opportunity to show them there's demand and enthusiasm for improved walking and cycling infrastructure in the area.

Please spread the word.

Anyone who wants to come along to learn how to facilitate a network planning event (perhaps in order to hold your own where you live!) is also welcome to attend but, ideally, let me know in advance by email - catriona.swanson@salford.gov.uk

Kind regards,

Catriona

Important Information – Saturday 24 November travel advice

Important Information – Saturday 24 November travel advice

This Saturday (24 November), there are a number of events taking place in the Trafford area, which will result in increased journey times for all road users.

First, Sale Sharks host Northampton Saints at the AJ Bell Stadium (KO 1pm). This is then followed by Manchester United vs. Crystal Palace at Old Trafford (KO 3pm).

Additionally, industrial action is taking place on Northern services on the day. This means there will be very few trains running before 9am and after 6pm.

The Human League are also performing at the Manchester Arena that evening.

Plan ahead and know your options:

Roads in Trafford and the surrounding areas, including the local motorway network, will be extremely busy and there may be additional road closures and diversions in place.

Check our travel advice for all three events below:

·        https://tfgm.com/travel-updates/industrial-action

·        https://tfgm.com/travel-updates/ajbell-stadium/sale-sharks-v-northampton-saints

·        https://tfgm.com/travel-updates/manchester-united/manchester-united-v-crystal-palace

Please feel free to share this information to anyone who you feel would benefit from receiving it. You can find out more by following us on Twitter @OfficialTfGM.

Kind regards

TfGM Customer Information Team

Become Bike Smart this Road Safety Week

Greater Manchester’s road users are being encouraged to be more aware of cyclists and motorcyclists this Road Safety Week (November 19 to 25).
More than a third (37%) of all deaths and serious injuries on roads in the North West in 2017 were bike riders. On average, a cyclist or motorcyclist is killed or seriously injured every hour on British roads.

Drivers are being encouraged to be ‘Bike Smart’ and to be more aware of bikes by:

• Slowing Down: Give yourself more time to spot danger and react.
• Doing the Dutch Reach: Avoid ‘car dooring’ cyclists by using your opposite hand to open the door. This forces you to look behind you so you can check for approaching bikes.
• Turning your head: Take time to look properly for bikes before you pull out at junctions.
• Leave 150: Leave at least 150cm between your vehicle and a bike when overtaking.
• You’re not a bike!: Never stop in bike boxes at junctions, and don’t drive or park in cycle lanes.

Peter Boulton, TfGM’s Head of Highways, said: “Last year 788 people were killed or seriously injured on Greater Manchester’s roads, which is 788 too many. It is our long-term aim to reduce this number to as close to zero as possible. To do that we are making our roads safer by building more dedicated cycling and walking infrastructure and managing traffic more intelligently.

“Another fundamental part of this is encouraging better driver behaviour. That is why we are supporting Road Safety Week and these clear tips to drivers on how they can be more aware of their fellow two wheeled road users. They’re simple, intuitive and easy to remember and if people follow them they will save lives.”
Road Safety Week is coordinated by the road safety charity Brake. You can find out more at: www.roadsafetyweek.org.uk#BikeSmart

In a recent study carried out by insurance firm, Insure the Box, it was also revealed that motorists are more than 30% more likely to be involved in a road traffic accident the first four weeks after the clocks go back.